What is ‘Sandes Messaging App’?

An open source-based indigenous instant messaging platform developed by NIC, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India, promotes instant messaging communication in Government organizations. The first version of the Sandes App was launched in August 2020 by NIC.

How can you download the Sandes app on Mobile?

Step 1: You can visit Sandes website http://www.gims.gov.in/dash/dlink website for downloading the application.

Step 2: Now, Register your account by phone number. 

Step 3: Enter your name, gender and upload your profile.

What’s the difference between Sandes and WhatsApp? 

Sandes is a completely free app with no advertisements. It’s worth noting that the app’s name is listed as GIMS when you download it (Government Instant Messaging System). However, the government refers to it as Sandes, which means “message” in Hindi.

WhatsApp is also a messaging application that allows users to message, voice chat, and share media, including video calling, with individuals or groups.

Can you use the Sandes app on a laptop or desktop or tablet?

For the time being, the Sandes app is only available for Android and iOS users. The app is not compatible with tablets, but the web version can be used. It’s also not in the Play Store right now, so you’ll have to get it from the government’s website. The Sandes app is available on the App Store for iOS users.

Features of the Sandes App

1. Sandes has a user interface that is comparable to that of many other apps now available on the market.
2. There is a flaw in that there is no way to move your chat history between platforms.
3. There are also several capabilities, such as group creation, broadcasting messages, and emoji forwarding.
4. A valid mobile number or email address is required to access the app.
5. There’s also a security option that lets you mark communications as private.
6. The App informs the user that their messages will not be shared with anyone else.
7. Once individuals have enrolled, they will not be able to change their phone numbers or email addresses.

Who can download Sandes App?

Anyone with a government email ID or phone number can download the app to their smartphone and sign up. If you want to sign up with your government employee ID, you won’t be able to send or receive messages until it’s authenticated. On the app, users may share photographs, videos, voice messages, and create groups, just as on WhatsApp. Users can customise their profile images and statuses as well.

How to use Sandes App?

The app can be set up to handle messaging and is linked to other government apps. The management portal is used for onboarding, group administration, employee verification, broadcasting messaging, dashboards, and analytics for the organisation and its employees. The messaging gateway is in charge of handling messages and integrating with other government apps.

How can you delete your Sandes account?

•  Go to the Account tab and select the option
•  From the drop-down menu, select the reason. 
•  Tap on The account of the user will be deleted, and the user will no longer be allowed to utilise the Sandes platform.
•  If a user chooses to use the Sandes platform again, they must re-register and give their information at the time of registration.

FAQ

Are messages on Sandes mails encrypted?

End-to-end encryption is used for both individual and group chat conversations.

What is Gimoji and how can I use it?

Gimoji are special stickers/images used to communicate amongst government entities/officials or to communicate about government-related issues. This is a feature that may be used in both solo and group chat.

To see a list of available Gimoji, press on the message window and tap on Gimoji.

To send it, tap on any of them.

What are the various possibilities for tagging a customised message?

The Sandes app enables you to choose a message as Confidential, Priority, or Auto Delete.

What is the maximum number of people that can be added to a single group?

A casual group created on the Mobile Sandes platform can have a limit of 50 members and an official group created at Portal by Admin can have a maximum of 200 members.

How can you back up your Sandes App messages and contacts?

The Account tab has a backup option. On your device, a backup will be taken. The user can choose between a message backup and a full backup. The user will be prompted to restore from the backup while reinstalling the Sandes platform. The user can recover the previous chat messages by selecting the backup file and restoring it.

Is it possible to invite any user to the Sandes platform?

An Organisation verified user can invite a user to the Sandes platform as a Government or public user. They can also invite an existing Sandes user to join the platform. After that, the invited user will be able to use the Audio/Video calling and Group chatting features.